You know that thing you've been picking at for awhile? That goal or dream you've been daydreaming and drooling over in your head? Yeah...that. Here's a little secret : YOU CAN DO IT. I want to encourage you this Monday morning because... #Mondays...yeah...

I've been working on my blog for a year and a half now and I never thought I would come as far as I have with it. But I did! I was severely discouraged at first, but I have grown. Slowly but surely. I had people (mainly my husband Tom) telling me from the start that I could keep up with it and that I could develop more skills and more editing know-how. And I have acquired those things through hard work and determination.

I know, I know, that sounds so cliche' but it's so true. I still have a long way to go but nevertheless I have grown. You can too! I know it's hard to stay positive when everything is working against you but it's only a phase. If you stay determined you can overcome the road bumps. Get an encouraging group of friends and family members behind you. Do not allow room for negativity into your life. There is a fine line between guidance and pessimism and you need people around you to help GUIDE.

I also recommend reading the book ​Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey and the book ​Start by Jon Acuff. They are powerful tools which have helped countless people start their own ideas and small businesses up. Check em' out! My husband has learned a lot from just Entreleadership and we are on our way to starting a lot of fun ideas up! : )

I hope this has encouraged you! You can do it through hard work and the grace of God! Please share this with friends or family members who are working hard on their dreams!​XOXO

For this week's Monday Motivation, I wanted to let you all know that you're setting an example for everyone around you. You're a walking billboard. Are you going to advertise positivity? Or are you going to exude bitterness, anger, impatience, and frustration today?

This Monday morning I encourage you to choose (yes CHOOSE) positivity and strength. I know mornings are hard. I have a toddler and a 5 month old. Most days I want to hide under my covers when I hear them calling for me. I'm tired. I'm exhausted really. I wonder how will I'll make it through this day. Each and every day I have to choose strength, happiness, and positivity. For me, my daughters (and my husband when he's home) are my motivation. They live with me and are affected by my mood every single moment of the day it seems! I have to be strong to inspire THEM to be strong. Let's face it, parents - when we baby our kids and coddle them, when we never ever ever let anything bad happen to them, and when we shelter their feelings they never have the opportunity to learn to be strong. TEACH your children how to cope with difficulties instead of running from them.

I realize not everyone reading this has children so, in your case, you're probably inspiring coworkers, friends, relatives...etc. Be a great billboard for positivity! I don't allow negative things or people into my life. I've had to (awkwardly sometimes) cut people out of my life who have torn me down and made me feel negative just because of their own rut of negativity. And I think I used to be that persone too! But I forced myself to change. No, I'm not perfect, as you'll see me say many times on this blog over the years. But, I try. You should too!

So choose to be STRONG because you never know who is watching, who is learning from you, or who you are being an example to.Oh! And do something nice for someone today! HURRY! Time's ticking!

Mondays have this bad reputation for being TERRIBLE. But we all love fresh starts don't we? That's what Mondays are! I want you all to decide RIGHT NOW that this week will be awesome! Set yourself a reminder on your phone that goes off every hour or every two hours that says, "You can do it! Stay positive!" Think of all the blessings in your life. Write them all down if that helps you. When your coffee spills all over your lap at your desk at 8am think about how lucky you are to be in a heated building with your $4.00 Starbucks. Be thankful that you were able to wake up in a warm bed and drive your own car into work. Be thankful you have a job! Here in America we have access to SO much more than a lot of people. We are free. We are alive. We are loved! We are loved by friends, by family, and by our ever merciful God.

And guess what? I have a secret to tell you. Do you know the secret to having a really really good day? Here's the trick:

EACH DAY, INTENTIONALLY DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

That coworker who forgot their lunch? Sneak a $10 bill on their desk with a note that says, "Lunch is on me." Don't leave your name. Don't let them see you. Just make them REALLY happy.

Hold the door for someone.

Hold the elevator for someone.

Give someone your last piece of gum.

That mom friend who is sick? Spend your day off keeping her kids out of her hair. Do some laundry for her. Clean up her kitchen. (And I'm not just saying that because I was sick this weekend and I wanted help with my kids, my laundry, and my kitchen. Hahaha okay mayyyybe I am... ;)

That sickly elderly person from your church? Get some extra ingredients next time you go shopping and surprise them with dinner! (This is also WONDERFUL for moms who are newly pregnant & experiencing morning sickness. Just make sure they aren't sickened by what you make. Ask them what they're craving! This is ESPECIALLY wonderful for moms who have just delivered a baby or babies. Oh my goodness. There's nothing like someone cooking dinner for the family when you're newly postpartum.)

Giving is what truly truly truly makes you happy. Yeah Netflix and Nutella is fun. Yeah, going to the bar is fun. Yeah, eating an entire pizza with your friends while streaming 4 seasons of your favorite show is fun but you get so much more satisfaction from GIVING instead of TAKING. And yes, while giving to our neighbors (fellow man) is very important, so is giving to God. I challenge you this week to go to church at least one extra time apart from Sunday. I'm so bad at that. It's hard with kids. But I CAN do it. I will do it. Say some extra prayers and talk to God during the day. Say good morning to Him. Say good night to Him. Say "I love you" to Him.

I hope these tips make your week wonderful. Remember : Giving is living.​XOXO!

Meet Hannah

My name is Hannah and I'm a lucky wife to Tom, and mama bear to two sweet girls - Charlotte & Rosalie. Coffee, lipstick, sunshine, and dresses are some of my favorite things! I love to blog about God, motherhood, "wifeyhood", food, health and much more. ​Check out my vlogs on YouTube as well!

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